Blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueOne’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueOne’ primarily characterized by large berries with medium sweetness, medium acidity, and slightly oblate spherical berry shape and berries that have green flesh, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Vaccinium corymbosum.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisBlueOne’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct blueberry cultivar designated ‘DrisBlueOne’ and botanically known as Vaccinium corymbosum. This new blueberry cultivar was discovered in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif. in September 2000 as a result of a hybridization between the female parent, ‘MS7’a proprietary unpatented variety and the male parent, ‘Jubilee’ an unpatented variety.

The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated at a nursery in Watsonville, Monterey County, Calif. ‘DrisBlueOne’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing at a nursery in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif. for seven years. ‘DrisBlueOne’ has been asexually propagated via softwood cuttings. The present invention has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif.

1. Large berries with medium sweetness;

2. Medium acidity and a slightly oblate spherical berry shape; and

3. Berries that have green flesh.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new cultivar at various stages of development as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions. The photographs are of plants that are 7 years old.

FIG. 1 shows both the upper surface and lower surface of the leaves.

FIG. 2 shows the mature flowers.

FIG. 3 shows the whole fruit and a longitudinal-section of the fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following description of ‘DrisBlueOne’ is based on observations taken from the 2007 growing season in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif., where the age of the ‘DrisBlueOne’ plants was 7 years, while the age of the comparison variety ‘O'Neal’ plants was 12 years old. All descriptions are in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘DrisBlueOne’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Table 1 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 1 includes plant, canopy and cane characteristics.

TABLE I Characteristic ‘DrisBlueOne’ ‘O'Neal’ Plant: Vigor Strong Low Growth habit Bushy Bushy Chilling requirement Medium Medium Propagation From softwood From softwood cuttings cuttings Canopy: Bush height (cm) 55 134 Canopy width (cm) 63 124 Height/Width ratio 0.9 1.1 Canes: Age at maturity (years) 3 years 3 years Mature cane texture Rough Rough Mature cane diameter (cm) 1.08 0.734 Mature cane length (cm) 66.2 69.0 Mature cane color RHS 146C RHS 138A (yellow-green) (green) Cane renewal Medium Weak

Table 2 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 2 includes bud, calyx, corolla, flower and pedicel characteristics. Where “n/a” appears for a characteristic, it indicates a characteristic is not available.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueOne’ ‘O'Neal’ Bud: Time of bud break Medium Early Flowers per bud 10 6 Calyx: Diameter at anthesis (cm) 0.856 0.658 Lobe count 5 5 Color RHS 139A RHS 145C (light (dark green) yellow-green) Corolla: General Petals fused into a Petals fused into a corolla with 5 lobes corolla with 5 lobes Length (cm) 0.794 1.014 Diameter (cm) 0.838 0.886 Aperature diameter (cm) 0.58 0.334 Mature color RHS 157C RHS 155A (white) (green-white) Flower: Type Perfect hypogynous Perfect hypogynous (inferior ovary); (inferior ovary); stamens attached at stamens attached at base of fused corolla base of fused tube corolla tube Shape Urceolate Urceolate Fragrance Faint Very faint Size Large Medium 50% anthesis (full bloom) March 18^(th) n/a 1% bloom Medium Early Pedicel: Color RHS 143D RHS 144D (green-white) (light yellow-green) Length (cm) 0.678 0.478

Table 3 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 3 includes leaf and shoot characteristics.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueOne’ ‘O'Neal’ Leaves: Arrangement Alternate Alternate Shape Broadly elliptic to Simple and broadly oval elliptic to slightly ovate Apex Broadly acute Broadly acute Base Broadly acute to Broadly acute to slightly rounded cuneate Margin Entire Entire Pubescence Glabrous Glabrous (both surfaces) Length (cm) 6.502 6.620 Width (cm) 3.958 3.440 Length/width ratio 1.6 1.9 Color, upper surface RHS 137A (green) RHS 137A (green) Color, lower surface RHS 137C (green) RHS 138B (green) Venation Reticulate Reticulate Petiole: Length (cm) 0.37 0.40 Color RHS 145B RHS N144D (yellow-green) (yellow-green) Shoots: Internode length (cm) 1.72 1.634

Table 4 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 4 includes berry, skin, peduncle and seed characteristics.

TABLE 4 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueOne’ ‘O'Neal’ Berry: Shape Slightly oblate Slightly oblate sphere sphere Size Large Medium Weight (g) 1.77 1.39 Height 1.346 1.284 (cm, pedicel scar to calyx) Diameter 1.684 1.508 (cm at widest point) Height/diameter ratio 0.80 0.85 Firmness Very firm Medium Sweetness Medium Strong Acidity Medium Mild Season/timing (25% ripe) Mid-season Early season Season/timing (50% ripe) June 17^(th) June 14^(th) Pedicel scar diameter (cm) 0.248 0.16 Skin: Bloom deposition Strong/heavy Medium Mature color with bloom RHS 104D (blue) RHS 98C (violet-blue) Mature color without bloom RHS 103A (blue) RHS 103A (blue) Immature color with bloom RHS 142C (green) RHS 143D (light green) Flesh: Color RHS 145B (green) RHS 157A (green-white) Seed: Abundance 16 per fruit 27 per fruit Color RHS N167A RHS 165B (orange-brown) (greyed-orange) Length (cm) 0.184 0.200 Width (cm) 0.124 0.112 Length/width ratio 1.48 1.79

Table 5 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 5 includes the reproductive organs.

TABLE 5 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueOne’ ‘O'Neal’ Reproductive Organs: Ovary color RHS 122A RHS 133C (green) (blue-green) Pollen color RHS 11C (yellow) RHS 8D (light yellow) Anther color RHS 172B RHS N170A (greyed-orange) (greyed-orange) Style length, including 0.812 cm 0.810 cm stigma (cm) Pollination requirement Believed to be self- fertile

-   Resistance to diseases and insects: Disease and insect resistance     are typical of the species.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisBlueOne’ is compared to the female parent ‘MS7’ (unpatented), ‘DrisBlueOne’ has a more spherical berry shape and stronger flavor, while ‘MS7’ has a more oblate berry shape and a milder flavor.

When ‘DrisBlueOne’ is compared to the male parent ‘Jubilee’ (unpatented), ‘DrisBlueOne’ has a bushy growth habit and large berries, while ‘Jubilee’ has an upright growth habit and small to medium-sized berries. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant as described and shown herein. 